Mat vs. matt, which of these two words is correct? Are both words valid, and do they have related meanings? We all need answers to these questions and much more to avoid mistakes that can mess up your writings.
A mat is “a flat piece of a protective floor covering, or a decorative piece often made with coarse material. A coarse material for wiping your feet is also called a mat. A matt is an alternative spelling for matte or mat (a coppersmithing alloy). Matt also means having little to no contrast.
At first sight, you may assume that matt is a misspelling of the mat or vice versa. However, you may be shocked to realize this is not the case. Read on to discover more about these words.
Definitions Of Mat And Matt
Understanding the differences between confusing or related words is nearly impossible if you do not know their meanings. So, the first step you should take when you encounter related or confusing words is finding their meanings. The definitions will point out specific elements that stand out between the words. So, let us discuss the definitions of mat and matt below:
Definitions Of Mat
A mat is a flat piece of material, often coarse, placed on the floor for wiping your feet. Let’s look at a sentence example: “We need a new mat for the doorstep because the current one is too old and soiled.”
A mat is also “a small and flat piece of material used for decoration or protecting the floors.” An example sentence is, “Mum brought home the most beautiful mat I have ever seen from her Saudi Arabian trip.”
A mat is also a protective material for various surfaces, not only floors. For example, “A coaster is an example of a mat not used on the floor.”
In athletics, a mat is a floor pad for protecting athletes. An example in a sentence is, “The coaches requested more mats for their athletes.”
The word mat also refers to “a thickly tangled mess.” An example sentence is, “The students left behind a mat after their art project.”
Some sources define a mat as “a thin paper, like a paperboard border for inserting and centering the contents of a frame.” For example, “The artists did not mount the photo on the frame because of the broken mat.”
Again, the word mat refers to “a thin layer of knitted, woven, or non-woven fiber used for reinforcing material.” An example in a sentence is, “A thin superficial reinforcement fiber is the perfect mat for you.”
As a verb, to mat means “to cover, protect, or decorate a surface using a mat.” For example, “The event planners will mat the surface, so it blends with the event’s theme.”
Still as a verb, to mat also means “to form a thick mess or interweave, like a mat.” An example sentence is, “The teacher will not allow the students to mat the art supplies.”
When it comes to metals, a mat is “an alloy of copper, tin, iron, and other white metals in coppersmithing.” An example sentence is, “A copper alloy mat will serve you for longer than the usual mats.”
In gaming, a mat is “a material needed for a crafting recipe in the video game sector.” In addition, mat is also dated slang for “matinee.” This is common among people executing theater performances.
Definitions Of Matt
According to reliable sources, matt is an alternative spelling for matte, often used in Britain. Additionally, matt is another spelling for a mat, especially when referring to a white metal alloy used in coppersmithing.
An unpopular definition of “matt” is “the property of having little to no contrast or lacking gloss.” For example, “The matt painting looks good on the theater walls.”
Matt is a short form of the name Matthew. There is also a book in the New Testament known as the Gospel of Matthew, and Christians abbreviate it as “matt.”
How To Properly Use Mat And Matt In A Sentence
Mat and matt are similar-sounding words with different meanings, most of which are unrelated. Similar-sounding terms with different meanings are called “homophones.” The definition section above explains their differing meanings, so we can now discuss how to use these words in a sentence.
How To Use The Word Mat
Use this word as a noun in contexts that mean:
- A piece of material placed on the floor as a protective covering (or for wiping your feet)
- A decorative material placed on the floor
- A thick layer of a wooly object
- A cluster or grouping of something
- A thick layer or mass
As a verb, use the word in the following ways:
- When talking about the act of tangling something
- When referring to the act of covering something with a mat
How To Use The Word Matt
Use this word as an alternative (British) spelling for a mat. Also, as an alternative for matte, which means “not covered with varnish or without shine or luster.”
Mat Vs. Matt: More Differences
The similarity between these words is that they have the same pronunciation “/m.AE.t/.” In contrast, their core difference is that one word has a double “t” in its spelling while the other has one. The definitions also explain the differences between these words.
However, let us look at other differences between mat and matt:
Origin
The word “mat” comes from the 1845 French word “mat,” meaning “dull surface or finish.” However, it took on a new meaning in the late 19th century: “a piece of paper or flat material placed on a surface as a decoration or protective object.” In 1965, the word adopted another meaning. The meaning is “to mount or print on a cardboard backing” or “a material for centering or placing something on a frame.” The 19th-century meaning is currently the most common one.
Interestingly, the history of the word “matt” is unclear. However, some sources claim that it is related to the origin of matte and mat.
Popularity
Another difference between these words is that “mat” is more popular than “matt.” That explains why some assume that the second word is incorrect or non-existence in English.
List Of Examples Of Mat And Matt Use In Sentences
Both matt and mat are correct English words with specific but different meanings. So, with this knowledge in mind, you can use these words in sentences. Here are some examples:
Example sentences of the word mat
- The mat at the front of the temple is beautiful.
- My mother bought me a mat as a housewarming gift when I moved out of her house.
- The guests used my fancy mat to wipe the mud off their feet and shoes.
- Jane was annoyed when the visitors wiped their dirty shoes on her decorative mat.
- Ann uses a large mat as a coaster, which her family finds interesting.
Example sentences of the word matt
- The homeowners prefer matt paint over its counterpart.
- The matt paint will last longer than its alternatives.
- Pastor Jade based Sunday’s sermon on Matt 12:36, my favorite Bible verse.
- Today’s speaker used the word matt as an alternative spelling of matte.
- I love the matt painting on the wall at the back.
Conclusion
The content above answers the question asked in the introduction. The conclusion is that both mat and matt are correct English words with different meanings. The advantage of knowing the correct spelling and articulation is that you can use your vocabulary correctly in sentences. Keep on creating creative sentences with the words mat and matt to comprehend them better.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.